ChristmasFnatic Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Was Axl really pertaining to a train("My baby gone off the tracks"); or was he cleverly saying Loco(crazy in Spanish) + motive, in other words Crazy Motive, which fits the song as well.Just wondering... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovim Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coma16 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 I think a little of both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mendez Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 (edited) Considering the chorus is off-rhythm/beat (like a train going off its tracks) I'm leaning towards a train. Edited May 21, 2014 by Mendez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetRose Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 I was actually thinking of this very subject a few weeks ago,when the song was stuck in my head. And my conclusion was loco(crazy)motive. Gone off the tracks:bitch done flipped her shit and went crazy. Peel the bitch off my back:always nagging and bitching and always on his case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nosaj Thing Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Interesting.I would say a bit of both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManetsBR Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 The song title is very interesting. A little bit of both, and I think Slash's initial riff ressembles a locomotive.I still think it should be called Use Your Illusions, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR DOOM Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Was Axl really pertaining to a train("My baby gone off the tracks"); or was he cleverly saying Loco(crazy in Spanish) + motive, in other words Crazy Motive, which fits the song as well.Just wondering...Fuck, after all these years I'd never thought of that...and it's probably my favourite GNR song. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nosaj Thing Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Was Axl really pertaining to a train("My baby gone off the tracks"); or was he cleverly saying Loco(crazy in Spanish) + motive, in other words Crazy Motive, which fits the song as well.Just wondering...Fuck, after all these years I'd never thought of that...and it's probably my favourite GNR song.Same here.ChristmasFnatic, you should post more. You're a great asset to this forum. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amir Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Was Axl really pertaining to a train("My baby gone off the tracks"); or was he cleverly saying Loco(crazy in Spanish) + motive, in other words Crazy Motive, which fits the song as well.Just wondering...Fuck, after all these years I'd never thought of that...and it's probably my favourite GNR song.Hadn't thought of that either...Anyone know/have any clue why the subtitle for the track is Complicity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moreblack Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Come to think of it, the riff does have a chugging train like rhythm to it as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amish Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 (edited) Locomotive is one of the most intense Guns songs lyrically, vocally, and musically. If you listen to all the different voices he uses in the song, you'll be amazed. The chorus has 4 different voices harmonizing in layers which you can hear if you listen close enough. As far as the meaning, I would have thought it was obvious. No, he isn't talking about an actual train. He's simply referring to crazy, weird thought patterns. As for "Complicity," the lyrics reference that word in a few places. "Love to me's a two way street and all I really want is peace," and "because you're such a stupid woman and I'm such a stupid man" are two examples. It seems like the song is him bitching about a woman, and it mostly is, but he does concede to certain wrongdoings himself and basically admits that it's a two way street and usually both people are to blame in most relationship failures. "Complicity" just means that one person didn't act alone; that they usually had a partner in the mess who is also responsible. The word typically has negative connotations and you would only use it to describe bad events. (He's also saying that she thinks it's all his fault but he's quick to point out that he's not to blame, either.) It's a very intense song. Edited May 21, 2014 by Amish 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen8R Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 It's both. It's written somewhere that this was Axl's "crazy train". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvH Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 I think it mainly comes from the guitar tone and lick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandallFlagg Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 (edited) Coma, Catcher, TWAT, SCOM, November Rain and Locomotive have some of the best outros of all time. Locomotive takes the ribbon for me though, such ephemeral caramel after one hell of a ride thru a lucid but convoluted dude's stream of consciousness pouring punctuated by an outstanding musical backdrop. Very cathartic. Edited May 21, 2014 by RandallFlagg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzzy Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Locomotive=Train of thoughts =Lei MotifIts a non stop 10 minute speech song. He says quite a lot in that song. Love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
- antem Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 MIND = BLOWN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laparka Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Coma, Catcher, TWAT, SCOM, November Rain and Locomotive have some of the best outros of all time. Locomotive takes the ribbon for me though, such ephemeral caramel after one hell of a ride thru a lucid but convoluted dude's stream of consciousness pouring punctuated by an outstanding musical backdrop. Very cathartic.Il love Double Talkin' Jive Outro too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandallFlagg Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Jive is one weird song but the outro is awesome too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Bob Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 I'm from Spain and I never thought that, it doesn't even looks like spanish, I don't think he says loco-motive... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coma16 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 I'm from Spain and I never thought that, it doesn't even looks like spanish, I don't think he says loco-motive...He's saying one thing but meaning something else. It's a play of words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Sabbath Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 When you put it that way, I would say it could be a bit of both.Such a badass song, though. The riff is great and it's even cooler when you realize it actually goes along with the motion of a train moving. Easily in the Top 5 of the Illusion tracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovim Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Man, Guns is a band that knows how to write songs with trains in them. Need one more to complete the trilogy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Diet Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 (edited) Was Axl really pertaining to a train("My baby gone off the tracks"); or was he cleverly saying Loco(crazy in Spanish) + motive, in other words Crazy Motive, which fits the song as well.Just wondering...Holy shit Axl KNOWS what will happen to him with CD (look at the italic lines)Gonna find a way to cure this lonelinessYeah I'll find a way to cure the painIf I said that you're my friendAnd our love would never endHow long before I had your trust againI opened up the doors when it was cold outsideHopin' that you'd find your own way inBut how can I protect youOr try not to neglect youWhen you won't take the love I have to giveI bought me an illusionAn I put it on the wallI let it fill my head with dreamsAnd I had to have them allBut oh the taste is never so sweetAs what you'd believe it is-Well I guess it never isIt's these prejudiced illusionsThat pump the bloodTo the heart of the bizYou know I never thoughtThat it could take so longYou know I never knew how to be strongYeah, I let you shape meBut I feel as though you raped me'Cause you climbed inside my worldAnd in my songsSo now I've closed the doorTo keep the cold outsideSeems somehow I've found the will to liveBut how can I forget youOr try not to reject youWhen we both know it takes time to forgiveSweetness is a virtueAnd you lost your virtue long agoYou know I'd like to hurt youBut my conscience always tells me noYou could sell your body on the streetTo anyone whom you might meetWho'd love to try and get insideAnd bust your innocence open wide'Cause my baby's got a locomotiveMy baby's gone off the trackMy baby's got a locomotiveGot ta peel the bitch off my backI know it looks like I'm insaneTake a closer look I'm not to blameNoGonna have some fun with my frustrationGonna watch the big screen in my headI'd rather take a detour'Cause this road ain't gettin' clearerYour train of thought has cut me off againBetter tame that boy 'cause he's a wild oneBetter tame that boy for he's a manSweetheart don't make me laughYou's gettin' too big for your pantsAnd I's think maybe you shouldCut out while you canYou can use you illusion-Let it take you where it mayWe live and learnAnd then sometimes it's best to walk awayMe I'm just here hangin' onIt's my only place to stay at leastFor now anywayI've worked too hard for my illusionsJust to throw them all awayI'm taking time for quiet consolationIn passing by this love that's passed awayI know it's never easy-So why should you believe meWhen I've always got so many things to sayCalling off the dogs a simple choice is made'Cause playful heartsCan sometimes be enragedYou know I tried to wake you-I mean how long could it take youTo open up your eyes and turn the pageKindness is a treasure-And it's one towards me you've seldom shownSo I'll say it for good measureTo all the ones like you I've knownYa know I'd like to shave your headAnd all my friends couldpaint it red'Cause love to me's a two way streetAn all I really want is peaceBut my baby's got a locomotiveMy baby's gone off the trackMy baby's got a locomotiveGot ta peel the bitch off my backI know it looks like I'm insaneTake a closer look I'm not to blameNoAffection is a blessingCan you find it in your sordid heartI tried to keep this thingta-getherBut the tremor tore my pad apartYeah I know it's hard to faceWhen all we've worked for's gone to wasteBut you're such a stupid womanAnd I'm such a stupid manBut love like time's got its own plans'Cause my baby's got a locomotiveMy baby's gone off the trackMy baby's got a locomotiveGot ta peel the bitch off my backI know it looks like I'm insaneTake a closer look I'm not to blameYeahIf love is blind I guessI'll buy myself a caneLOVE'S SO STRANGE Edited May 21, 2014 by Crash Diet 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tberrie007 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Locomotive is one of the most intense Guns songs lyrically, vocally, and musically. If you listen to all the different voices he uses in the song, you'll be amazed. The chorus has 4 different voices harmonizing in layers which you can hear if you listen close enough. As far as the meaning, I would have thought it was obvious. No, he isn't talking about an actual train. He's simply referring to crazy, weird thought patterns. As for "Complicity," the lyrics reference that word in a few places. "Love to me's a two way street and all I really want is peace," and "because you're such a stupid woman and I'm such a stupid man" are two examples. It seems like the song is him bitching about a woman, and it mostly is, but he does concede to certain wrongdoings himself and basically admits that it's a two way street and usually both people are to blame in most relationship failures. "Complicity" just means that one person didn't act alone; that they usually had a partner in the mess who is also responsible. The word typically has negative connotations and you would only use it to describe bad events. (He's also saying that she thinks it's all his fault but he's quick to point out that he's not to blame, either.) It's a very intense song. I have spent years listening to this song and in the chorus i hear 3 different vocal tracks..does anyone else really here a 4th?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts